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Sweater thirst trap

It's taking a while, but here's the lineart I was able to accomplish:

#original character #sweater #anime style #abs

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Eye of a Tyrant

Scene 2: The Call

...I would have to go to Brightspire and talk to the philosopher. The elf named Jeremy Samuels. A task I was loathe to do, but I wasn't going to risk my Lieutenant messing up her assignment. I picked up the report and grimaced. I didn't like trusting Heamus with overseeing project gyroscope alone - he was way to soft with his subordinates when it came to correcting their mistakes, but things were getting dire in Brightspire. And he did send me that letter about some bard and the spread of Trai's corruption. I had pulled some strings to take custodianship of the city out from Administrator Kobic Arkhaster in the name of relic security. And since Kobic was in charge of the Scouting, Patrols, and Mysticism, I overruled him in measures directly related to magic, plagues, and devices. If Samuels was right, I had a lot of work covering up what had spread to Abreol's holy city. And Lialka was headed straight for it...

I sighed and took a sip of brandy. It was going to be a very long day. I picked up my scry-board and scrawled some runes with my finger. Suppressing a scowl, I put the device to my ear and getting an answer, I spoke into it: "Hello Jeremy, I expect to be in Brightspire within the evening. We have a lot to talk about."

END OF DARK INITIATIONS

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #romance #dieselpunk #original fiction #original character #original series #originalcharacter #original work

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Going to use this as a reference!

Make sure your players know how to properly hold a sword! I’d give extra points for the last one.

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The Eye of a Tyrant

Scene 1: Doom & Board

L.A.D.D.E.R

Top Secret:

Project Gyroscope

Massive dragon-like creature reported somewhere near Chianglong, Feyguard

Glyphs of shape-shifter predate ruins along the continent. The name "Atlas" appears to come up repeatedly.

Egg fragments once brought back were found to be quite interesting...

...power as potent as an Eilonhir seems to resonate when a cleric attunes to them.

I would suggest we send a team back to Dig site Laddeaus to recover and extract any and all traces leading back to this discovery. I have made arrangements with the Lymmi Historical Society to ensure that casualties within the organization are kept to a minimal. I ask that you, Dreyus, keep them unaware about what it is we are really after. Let them think it's about a Eilonhir. We need those egg shards and answers. Where is the Dragon?

-Heamus Relius Oramis

I sighed. It was stressful enough being Administrator of Kaihuata considering how difficult it was to get any of the elves of the region to allow my forces entry into their groves and forests.

And now Heamus, L.A.D.D.E.R administrator of Lymmi, was having me oversee another one of our... projects. His writing was so short and to the point. I could at least appreciate that. But as I put that note down, I looked back at the report Lialka Ardos had sent me.

Apparently one of her informants had a gift. A gift for anticipating calamity. According to the paper, she had to go down to Aquilheim with her brother. To help with his business.

I had approved of the mission; Lialka was effective in getting her tasks done, despite her rebellious attitudes. They could always be changed in time. But her brother and his Knights of the Poisoned Chalice have me concerned. They had too much influence. Getting in the way of his operations and stripping him of his toys whenever they deemed necessary. I would have to do something about this.

Unfortunately, my pet assassin was busy collecting some very important information about a ruin I need to visit. I'd have to monitor her directly until I could have him supervise...

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime art #dieselpunk #original series #original character #original story

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Shores of Foreboding

Scene 2: A Sacrifice of Joy

"So we're just tossing them overboard?" Dulni asked Kip and he hoisted a keg over his shoulder.

"Arnd'thuul love liquor. I'm hoping our offering will be enough to distract them from our souls." Kip replied mid grunt.

"I prefer my plan to blow them up with the booze," Shezerin quipped.

"Stuff a sock in it urchin," Kellerin retorted. "Just help us get it overboard as we pass the islands."

"It won't be enough to deal with all of them." Shezerin said as he helped Kellerin with his keg.

"I'm already having a bad day, please don't make it any worse."

The kegs dropped in the tranquil ocean foam, their echoes swimming out from the "Mother Goose's" wake. Kellarin looked on, forlorn.

"Sad to see your favorite beverage go?" Shezerin asked.

"No, I'm sad that she might be right. We might have to land on one of these Morgoroth-embraced torture mounds," Kellerin replied, pulling a telescope to his eye.

Dulni shuddered. "This is one of those times where I don't want to be right," she replied.

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #romance #dieselpunk #original character #original art #original story #original work #original characters #original oc #oc story #original fiction

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Shores of Foreboding

Scene 1: A Night Foreboding and Brash

Dulni stood alone on a shore. She felt a split deep within herself as sharp as black and white.

"Hello?" she uttered into the darkened sky.

"Kip, Kellarin...Sherezin?"

Her boots sank into the coastline mud. She turned inland.

"Ha ha, funny guys. Enough with the fun and games. Let's get on with this."

A shadow stretched toward her from the sea. A colossal beast with a terrifying countenance. And a voice as cold and violent as its talons.

"And you think that you can unravel the mystery constructed and written by I? That you could begin to comprehend the streams and torrents I twist and waver through and between amuses me. Not that it is in any way accurate, only that you could assume our levels of intelligence on par."

Everything rippled and she felt it. Not just the rippling of her own flesh and the environment in some fever-like dream, but the beast- this dragon. Dulni could only stare at the shadow, using all her willpower to take in everything it was saying.

"Know that you only exist as you do because I let you. That you are all at my mercy. Tread across my kingdoms carefully and with the utmost caution."

Dulni woke in a cold sweat. This was the morning they made land, and it had to start as foreboding as this; a nightmare that might as well be a vision.

Or maybe it was worse than that. Maybe it was just confirmation that her life was a nightmare.

"Still want to visit that island?" Kip asked her.

Dulni looked back at the man who had tossed her scry-board overboard. "I keep what we're doing secret and you still ruin my link to the rest of the world. We could have had use for that. Daniel--"

"I don't care!" Kip yelled back. "I wanted Daniel, you wanted to be able to gossip with your ex's sister. Looks like life isn't fair about us getting what we want."

"Well, you have someone better equipped to handle the creatures on the island. I'm martially trained," Dulni bragged.

"So am I. I'm good with a mace." Kip replied. "Kellarin get all of the beer. We're going to throw the liquor towards all the islands we're passing through. Sorry Kell," he said to the amateur brewer.

"Wait, wait, all of the liquor?" Dulni asked. Her arms were across her chest which along with the scowl across her face suggested to Kip that she wasn't a fan of his idea.

"You can keep your flasks. You might need it later." Kip chuckled as he walked under-decks to help with preparing for the run past the island. Sherezin smiled giddily. "This is going to be like when we had to distract the guards to avoid seminary," he told her.

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #original story #original series #original character #seminary #nightmare

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Ok...

It's a wonderful hoodie!💕

[recordstellar-official]

Battle angel alita

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Bootstraps and Philogenesis

Scene 3: Loveseats and cocktailed plans

Getting the reverie loungers set up wasn't too hard for the siblings. The long conversation about Raina was.

Especially for Raina. Amid rising tensions the three had come to some sort of agreement.

Lialka would agree to use her position in the League of Allied Dimensions, Departments, Entities & Regions to get Raina whatever help she needed under the guise of safeguarding a rite of the Knights of the Poisoned Chalice. Juhn would claim guardianship, keeping Dreyus diplomatically bound to keep his hands off of the case. And Juhn would get her into the Highwater Cross once they were done with the machine seen in Raina's vision. It was no Tegla forest, but it was just as comforting to visit. The talk Lialka had after was no less heavy if not more so; Dreyus would want to know most if not every detail on why she had not reported back to him for the past month now. And Dreyus specialized in uncovering secrets as well as safeguarding them. She always left those "meetings" drained. Today was no different, and Lialka required more time to prepare before taking the wheel again. But once she was back to her duties, she made it known to both of them that things would proceed as planned. Juhn didn't know whether or not to be relieved by that. On one hand, no Dreyus breathing down their necks was an overall plus, but what else could he be up to? Nobody that capable of getting his sister to hesitate on a decision just sat on his hands. He looked far too ambitious for that. And it unsettled the cold unfeeling tactician within him. The sooner they got to Brightspire, the sooner he could get his mind off of this grim business. And onto higher matters.

"When's the last time you've been down to Brightspire?" Juhn asked over dinner. It was a meat loaf seasoned with cinnamon and fried in a honey mustard. Lialka's cocktail tonight was a summer melon 3-wine whiskey, made using at least two of Juhn's specialty wines. The two had left Raina alone in the galley while they talked alone on the airship's bridge. Lialka took a sip, savoring the flavor as she swallowed. Slowly.

"Sister, why do you have to always be so awkward?"

"Looks like I don't get to tell you that I was down there two weeks back before getting Raina. Why are you always so rude?"

"My apologies. I assume you've reserved a car for this ship's travel to Feygard?"

"No need," Lialka replied, tossing a gauge onto the ground.

"One shot, should save us lots of time. Tensions between the Matrons and Inthal have travel slowed," Lialka said sighing as she looked at the perplexed expression on Juhn's face. "Juhn, please keep up. Our ages are close enough that we could be twins. We should be on the same wavelength. That thing I tossed onto the floor Juhn? Don't worry. It's built to take on higher impacts and pressures. It's a stevenson's gauge. It's filled with mist and a special cocktail of minerals and chemicals. It's supposed to have enough components for a powerful planeshift spell when enough pressure gets through the component chamber."

"That must've been expensive!"Juhn whispered.

"Yeah, these are L.A.D.D.E.R's most valuable asset- next to the Auroric Stargazer," Lialka sighed. "Do you mind taking the wheel while I install this?"

She downed the rest of her drink before sauntering off to her task. His eyes narrowed. Of course she'd do a mid-air installation.

"Sister! Why do you insist on putting us all in danger!?"

"Speed chamber gauges are a bit different," Lialka non-chalantly replied. "Now go be a good boy and man the wheel!"

"Sheesh, so bossy," Juhn huffed as he headed to the wheel.

"Less drama-queen Juhn, more obedient knight Juhn," Lialka replied. Juhn steadied the wheel while Lialka loosened a valve before affixing the gauge. "I just got to pull the pin, but not after attaching the other end to an exhaust hose."

"Wait, why would you auto-cast behind your vessel?" Juhn asked.

"Oh don't worry, that works perfectly for us. Hey Barrett! C'mere buddy!" Lialka called out. A large black blur of fur leapt out through the hall, stopping before tackling and licking the half-elf. "Good boy! Do momma a favor! Do her a favor k? Keep this safe." Lialka placed a second gauge in a spare pocket on the dire wolf's T.A.C.T vest. "Good boy," she said ruffling the beast's fur as he barked in delight. "Go protect mommy's toys!" She petted and threw the wolf out of the bridge. Pulling a lever, she turned back to Juhn, who's lips had puckered. Nets fell and surrounded them with a few leashes to help guide anyone walking.

"It better not disturb her,"Juhn told his sister. His voice was as stern as his face had hardened.

"You're not her dad, and protocol is protocol. I'm about to attach the exhaust hose." Lialka smiled.

"Wouldn't that be safer on the ground?" Juhn asked.

"Doing it on the ground would take longer and we have vents." Lialka replied.

Lialka opened up the cabin vents. "If the gas is too much for you, you can go below decks. It won't harm you, it just smells funny."

Juhn shrugged.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Lialka said as she rerouted the pressure gauges and plugged the exhaust hose into the Stevenson's gauge. The smell of a thousand matchsticks filled the air and Juhn coughed violently. The air settled and Juhn was surprised that no dust had collected on his clothes.

"Awesome huh! Oh, I should've suggested goggles," Lialka commented as she pulled hers down. "The smell can be overwhelming the first time. See, perfectly safe. We have three exhaust hoses that connect to a compressor. We can survive losing two and still make good speed. I know what I'm doing better than you. Stop trying to judge Dad."

"I have said nothing of the like!" Juhn retorted.

"Not yet, but you do tend to compare us. Like it's a bad thing."

"Can we just drop this and focus on the task at hand?" Juhn asked.

It was Lialka's turn to shrug. "Do you think you can handle holding the wheel still while the station reverses itself?"

"Station what's itself?" Juhn asked. His voice cracked.

"I'm going to have you pull one of the levers around the wheel. The station, the wheel and those levers- those are going to move you backwards and around." Lialka tightened the hose connectors that linked the gauge and moved to a valve. "I hate how they space everything so far away from everything else. It makes me not want to mess with the controls." She loosened the valves on the other two exhaust hoses running up from the cabin and into the iron-balloon housing the steam generator that powered the ship thrusters and fans. "Just testing the coupling I did. The hoses are completely clamped shut. Just enough to show me where I may have fastened too loose or tight." Lialka looked at the gauge she had installed. "Ok. I think we're safe to completely close the two other hoses completely."

"What?!" Juhn exclaimed in response.

"Don't worry. I've served on airships since I was a teen." Lialka assured Juhn.

"It doesn't matter if you have more than two decades-worth of experience. Please consider others not too keen to living life on the tip of a wizard's wand."

"Ok, so first off, let's get this through your over-inflated head - keep your hands on the wheel. I'm the expert as far as getting this ship to move, I don't care that you're one of L.A.D.D.E.R's watchmen or Raina's babysitter- I know what I'm doing. Secondly, moving through a reverse planeshift isn't too hard on the compressor - do you see a battle or some beast we need to escape? Don't let go of the steering wheel - the gauge isn't showing much of a problem- my point is, my option as silly as it sounds to a land-lubber such as yourself, is the saner one. Thirdly, I'm a Lieutenant on one of the Stinger Platoons of Ladder. Safety is the number one priority, because it adds a fraction of a fraction of maybe not dying immediately WHEN things get bleak," she said under a harsh whisper."

Juhn almost let go of the wheel, but gripped it harder. "Just tell me when to pull the reverse lever." He scowled as he heard a pop, and the rev of the compressor. Lialka met his angry stare and shrugged.

"What? I'm only doing what you told me to. It takes time for the cast for effect to manifest. Besides, I need to do this." Lialka jumped from net to net before landing a few paces right from her brother. She wound a lever on a desk attached to the wheel which pulled up a long shelf of scrolls before shoving a scroll up a pneumatic tube. Flipping another switch, she flicked a stone on the table, shattering it and unleashing a chant. Lialka pointed to the windows. "Watch," she said. Specks of dust shimmering and shining with a metallic glimmer flew past the ship and illuminated the nighttime landscape. The dense forested canopies beneath them were highlighted by the powdered diamond, gem and other spell components. But instead of falling, the dust flew up into a vortex right behind the airship. "Don't," Lialka said as the chanting released by the stone grew louder.

"Is Raina's cabin proofed against this?" Juhn asked through the cacophony.

"Oh, the cabin is the most secure room in the ship! Why do you think I have my nightcaps here?" Lialka shouted over the disembodied chanting.

"This is why I compare you to Dad!" Juhn exclaimed.

The vortex imploded and a tear between the tame benevolent forests of Highwater Cross and the clawing violent canopy of Sinda's Gloom appeared.

"Wait until Raina hears about those!" Lialka exclaimed, oblivious to Juhn's last statement. "Pull the lever!" she shouted to Juhn.

Juhn pulled the gestured to lever, and braced himself as the stations reconfigured themselves for his view. "It's a bilateral sky-surfer?" he asked her in astonishment.

"Yeah, this bird is full of surprises," Lialka replied.

"What a pleasant surprise for once!" Juhn exclaimed.

"Just keep it gentle. I want to enjoy my special whiskey." Lialka said, unscrewing her flask.

"Aye, aye, Captain cocktails," Juhn sighed.

END of chapter 3

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #drinking #meatloaf #brother and sister #original character #original story

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Something for me to study later

I kind of suck at tagging, so I made this infographic to help make it easier.

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Northeast Ancondria, Present-Day: Overview

Geography

Most of the land of Northeastern Ancondria is a flat grassland about 3000 feet above sea level. Consisting of the plant species Ancondrian Crass, this region is considered the largest source of oxygen on the planet.

There are a few exceptions to the flat plains in the region, however. First is the region of Silba and Beaustrough, which consists of mountains reaching up to 7500 feet. Then there is the region surrounding the Havenlands, known as the Rim Mountains, which reach about 5000 feet. The Havenlands region itself consists of a gentle and gradual downward slope toward the sea, outlining the Southeastern half of an ancient crater. And then the land lining the coast all around the Peninsula is about 20 to 400 feet above sea level.

The climate throughout the flat grassland region is temperate, which is surprising since the region is very close to the equator; however, its high elevation means temperatures here are cooler while the air is less humid. The weather is warm and tropical year-round in the coastal regions, while cool summers and cold, snowy winters dominate the higher land near Silba and the Rim Mountains.

The United Confederation of Ancondria (UCA)

Standing as the larger of the two nations in Northeast Ancondria, the United Confederation of Ancondria, or the UCA, is governed as a direct-representative democracy, meaning that every leadership position in the executive and judicial branches, and every representative in legislature, is elected directly by the voting population.

The UCA is divided into 17 Territories. Each Territory elects 100 Delegates every year, a Governor on every second and seventh year of a given decade, and a Representative to the capital city of Providence on every third and eighth year of a given decade. On every fifth year of a decade, the UCA will elect a Governor-General serving as the Head of National Government, a post subject to a retention vote every tenth year of the decade. Every decision made by leadership is subject to override by popular referendum carried out by the population, who enjoys extensive powers of petition. Every year on a rotating basis, the UCA population will elect 11 Judges to the Supreme Court to each serve one eleven-year term.

The UCA boasts a strong military but strictly adheres to a policy of homeland defense, meaning that they do not deploy abroad unless there is a direct and imminent threat to the Confederation, a policy further enforced by the fact that the Confederation does not hold overseas territory. Most military weapons, planes, and supplies for the UCA Armed Forces are purchased from the neighboring State of Minlon.

As of the year 1475, the UCA stands as one of the most prosperous nations in Ancondria, with its primary industry being lightfire. In fact, the UCA is the world's leading producer of lightfire-made goods. The National Capital, each Territorial Capital, and its immediate lesser towns are connected with roads lined with bike paths. However, bicycles traverse these roadways more frequently than cars; and no national highway system exists because gyroplanes serve as the most common mode of transit. With the lightfire economy comes a wide variety of trades. However, all trades and industries in the UCA pursue one common agenda: environmental cleanliness. The aforementioned roadways over the grasslands are raised above the ground to help protect wildlife and, most importantly, Ancondrian Grass. Gyroplane landing pads are also raised above the ground, while the gyroplanes themselves, while they consume a minimal amount of fuel, are being constantly re-engineered to have a lesser and lesser impact on the environment.

It is also important to note that the population, itself, consists of a great number of differing nationalities. Of these nationalities include Native Ancondrians, Combrian-Ancondrians (or Comans for short), those of close kin to House Maderon, Ostar-Nabukans, Eastern Canticulans, and many folk from the nomadic maritime guilds.

The Sovereign State of Minlon

In contrast to the Ancondrian Confederation, the Sovereign State of Minlon stands as a Consular Republic. Its Head of Government consists of two Consuls presided over by a Head Consul. The Head Consul is the Commander-in-Chief of all domestic and foreign affairs, particularly when it comes to the military. The other two Consuls may give executive orders in the absence of the Head Consul, but the Head Consul can override these orders when there is either a disagreement between the other two Consuls or the Head Consul determines that the executive order agreed upon by the two Consuls is not appropriate. All three Consul positions are elected each for a six-year term but are staggered two years apart from each other, meaning that one Consul position is elected on a rotating basis every two years. Each Consul may be re-elected for an indefinite number of terms, but it is the oldest Consul in age who is deemed the Head Consul.

The Sovereign State of Minlon is divided into five Cantons, with each Canton divided into five Boroughs. Each Borough elects four Delegates, each to serve a four-year term; however, these occur on a yearly rotating basis so that one Delegate position is elected or re-elected each year. The four Delegates from each Borough meet on a regular basis in the Capital City Legislature, which is unicameral.

The Sovereign State of Minlon has one of the most expansive militaries in the world, with a division of ground army, air force, marine, and naval forces for each Canton and each Borough. This military is headed by five Chief-Generals, one for each Canton. Even though the Sovereign State of Minlon has yet to fight in a large-scale war, standing law here imposes conscription upon all young, able-bodied men between the ages of 18 to 23 years.

The de facto most powerful government institution, however, for the Sovereign State of Minlon, is the Judiciary Committee. This Committee is headed by five Arbitrators, consisting of four Arbitrators headed by one Head Arbitrator. Each of these Arbitrators is appointed to their said position by the Head Consul with the only check against such an appointment being a unanimous vote of opposition by all 100 Delegates in Legislature, a move that has never yet happened at the time of the writing of this article. Arbitrators serve a life term until retirement. These Arbitrators are responsible for every decision for every national-level case, dispute, and electoral outcome, as well as for appointing Arbitrators to preside over every Canton and Borough.

According to many critics abroad, the Judiciary Committee of the Sovereign State of Minlon has a notorious reputation for being corrupt. By constitutional principle, the Judiciary Committee is the one responsible for counting the votes and determining the outcome of every election carried out through the State. However, Arbitrators do have a right to "discount illegitimate votes, be it whether they were duplicate votes, votes cast by persons who do not exist, or votes cast by persons who were radically coerced by external influences or threats." The Judiciary Committee is known to use liberally the latter "coercion" reason to exclude certain numbers of votes cast by those opposed to the Five Banks of Minlon, and determine leaders in favor of corporate interests. Critics argue that this means that the Sovereign State of Minlon, though a democracy on paper, is not a true democracy.

There are five large banks in Minlon who own most of the businesses in Minlon as well as fund the State's expansive military. These Five Banks have a large sway in the Legislature, Consulate, and Judiciary Committees, and have been involved in numerous scandals. Of the most notorious was the establishment of the National Debt Collection Association, an organization helping to enforce unfair deals made by the Five Large Banks with businesses abroad. Most notably, numerous branches of the National Debt Collection Association, of the NDCA, consist of armed and well-trained Naval personnel, who go out with gunships into international waters and confront the cargo ships of businesses who owe debts, attacking them to salvage their goods in the form of repayment. The Independent Commonwealth State of Retun, along with many other Circlarian nations, considers this to be piracy, and the NDCA a terrorist organization.

The economy of Minlon is the complete opposite of the UCA in terms of protecting the environment, and consists of two primary industries: junk-flipping and the military. Junk-flipping involves numerous businesses purchasing goods, vessels, and supplies determined by other businesses to be of no value; junk-flippers will pay very little money for these goods and refine them to a higher quality, selling them at a much higher price. In some cases, the goods gained in the first place were not purchased but were seized by force by the NDCA during debt collector raids. Meanwhile, the military industrial complex is one of the largest in the world, with Minlon being a leader in the export of military planes, weapons, and supplies, and being neutral to warring factions, sometimes selling products to both sides of a particular conflict.

One thing to note about the economy of Minlon, however, is its staggering inequality. The City of Minlon is not just economically, but physically stratified, with high-rise skyscrapers over many square miles being connected with walkways, grass fields, parks, pools, baths, and beautiful courtyards on its top level. Those frequenting these areas consist mostly of bankers and leaders, who also own vast houses, estates, and properties out in rural areas throughout the Boroughs and Cantons. However, the nice and modern cityscape of Minlon is all on raised surfaces forty to one-hundred feet above the actual ground, while the properties in rural areas are in secluded areas and fenced in. This whole system is known to the outside world as the Silver Crust, because the remaining population lives either under the raised concrete surfaces of Minlon and the numerous shantytowns of the rural Cantons and Boroughs. Life in these parts is less than ideal, with high costs of living, low paying jobs, little opportunity for education and growth, and limited freedom of movement.

Numerous sectors of the population have pushed for change but were met with stiff oppression, especially at the hands of the Judiciary Committee and their expanded ability to overturn electoral results.

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Bootstraps and Philogenesis

Scene 2: A second intermission before the quarter rest

9th of Thermidore Y227 2nd Unity

There was nothing going on. And it was a good time to figure out what some of these nicknames were. Dulni twisted the prism in her hand, letting the light reflect off of the silver at its core. "Sandwich?" Dulni asked.

"...oh that. It's nothing. Really," Lialka replied.

"Besides, didn't he say calling the etching was only for emergencies?"

"I think your dad would agree that intense boredom is itself an emergency," Dulni quipped back.

"Oh no, you're right. You're right and worse, you sound like my brother."

"By the way, how is he? Are you ever stopping by Dragon Spire?"

"He's doing well. Just got him out of retirement, so he's not too happy about that," Lialkareplied. "We've got all of Feygard as a priority anyway. By the way, is that all you have going on? A relic hunt thrown on you by my dad?"

"Yeah. It's probably going to be a quick round trip though. I doubt we have enough equipment or supplies to camp overseas for long."

"Oh we don't need either," Kip replied.

"What?" Dulni asked.

"What we have stowed away below decks is worth the extra charges spent to have it delivered in transit."

"Oh that thing you had us waiting for before we left early," Kellarin quipped.

"Yeah, before the mist kicked in earlier than I had planned," Kip replied.

Dulni shrugged.

"Ok, so what's getting us in and out fast?"

"I'll explain when you're done with your friend. I don't need the State listening in on my plans."

"She's a friend. She can be trusted."

"Not as long as she or any of her own wear a badge, they can't. At least not by me. And by extension you when you're working for me or with me. Got it?"

A click sounded on Lialka's end as she heard Dulni hang up. Typical Dulni. Always fighting. Too bad she didn't have a chance to warn them of the reef just off the continent. She chuckled. She may be working for a coercive construct built on collective agreement, but L.A.D.D.E.R was the closest thing to a legitimate anarchy she'd ever seen. There was no central authority, just rank awarded through competency and merit. Administrators were masters at skills related to their contracted specialty or department. The only authorities they could even be considered beholden to were the plane of Augur-machinus and the union of Valsien/LirinThael Koirrym, the latter of which funded the expeditions and special assignments that allowed for the free travel and loose diplomacy extended to their agents. It was better than having to found your own guild. Lialka mused on thoughts related as she walked to a cupboard in the galley to grab herself a drink. Juhn voice echoed up through the staircase leading to the bunks.

"Sister, do you have any of those dream catchers you put away?"

Juhn. He was in the hallway. Outside the room he had led Raina to.

"Do you need help getting the couches installed?"

Juhn watched as Lialka's shadow extended toward the chime-ladder.

"Yes, actually that would be appreciated."

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #original story #original character #original art

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Bootstraps and Philogenesis

Scene 1: A nostalgic paranoia

It hit him like a giant crate. That iron tang in his nose. Juhn dropped the dolly he had propped the parts for couches. The bags could wait. Raina was in trouble.

Being a Warden of Palka meant he was sensitive to anxiety, especially the anxiety of others.

He was here.

Juhn could sense weight-the denseness the atmosphere had taken on around him. It was as if he was sprinting underwater while wearing a lead vest.

A raspy voice crawled within his head. It was feminine, but gravely. And unintelligible. Juhn ignored it and threw the shuttered door open.

Raina stood unharmed. Juhn reached out a hand before drawing it back - she was reading. His face reddened in embarrassment. It would have been rude to interrupt.

It seemed like an hour before Raina looked up from her tome.

"I'm sorry. How long were you there," she said stammering.

"Since we took off," Juhn replied.

He tried ignoring the smell, but it was strong where he was standing. It was very sweet. Like honey.

"Is it just me, or does the air feel... different?" he asked.

Raina nodded hesitantly.

Juhn reluctantly turned to where her eyes were pointed. Right by the wall his back was turned to, barely seen, was a small puddle of golden muck. A sweet iron tang condensed in slime. He had been here, that boogeyman.

"When was the last time you saw him?" he asked.

"I already told you. Twenty years back."

Juhn and Lialka had been hunting a lich during that time. Professor Lictyre, a dwarf and drow enthusiast, known for his specialty in alchemy. A character whose likeness may or may not have featured in pen-pal stories that were more fantastical than fact. Juhn's eyes dilated as his mind jumped to that past. Perhaps Lictyre had recovered from his and his sister's last escape. "Right, let's hope that Lictyre's trail has warmed back up. My sister and I never did catch him. Such an endeavor ever ends well. Nor are they looked forward to. If this is him, he's ready for us and not that, but he's going to make sure we know he knows we know he's back."

Juhn brushed his hand across his face.

"So annoyingly narcissistic."

Raina blinked in confusion at Juhn's unwarranted explanation.

"Such a clever case of irony rarely presents itself. I hope now not be unfavorable a time for discourse between relatives," said an older elf besides Juhn.

His gaze was crooked, as if looking beyond Raina and yet at Juhn at the same time. Raina's head hurt trying to conceptualize it.

Raina blinked trying to rationalize what was going on.

"Oh, please - it's better if you don't try to box this into something more comfortable. Try seeing it for what it is. Hi, my name is-"

"Raina!"

Juhn's panicked voice snapped her out of the reverie.

"Your eyes were rolled back as you were shaking!"

Raina shook her head. I'm sorry I had a vision about a man who claims to know me.

"Do you know his name?" Juhn asked her.

"No," Raina replied. "Is that guy you mentioned the boogey-man?"

Juhn's eyes widened in astonishment. "Who?"

"Professor Lictyre. You were talking about how you were looking for him when I mentioned that I first met the boogey man. I thought you were talking about him."

"No. I know not what else that shadow calls itself, for it has many names. He and his partner stalk the nightmares of those they deem 'chosen'. It could be a good or a bad thing."

"Then why mention the professor?"

Juhn scratched his head nervously.

"You're not the only one who gets visions," he admitted. "My... partners and I are linked to Palka herself. She shows us her targets. I had thought I was at cathedral. I hope I didn't worry you," he said.

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #original story #original series #original character

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Sandwiched in Time

Scene 3: A wall of caskets above the shore

Dulni breathed deep as they approached the storm. The waters foamed around the airboat's hull. It was there before even Kellarin's eyes could register it: a massive tidal wave at ninety degrees of angle. The instruction came far too late as it rose above the Mother Goose and crashed towards it. The deck rippled as Dulni kept herself balanced. The boat was pushed back, and the sea foamed once more.

"Unreef the sails," Kip yelled from the wheel.

"Are you crazy!? We turn back," Dulni replied.

Water splashed around them as the sky above them darkened. It didn't just rain, it poured. Dulni skated across the slick surface and towards the mast as the sea rumbled ahead of them.

Shezerin knew how to tie rope that was for sure,she thought to herself as she struggled to get enough grip on the knots he had tied.

"What's taking you so long?" Kellarin shouted after a few heartbeats.

The wave rattled the boat, almost capsizing it.

"Unreef the-!"

In one slick motion, Dulni cut the knot, partially unsheathing and re-sheathing her tachi in the process. She snatched the slack rope and tied it back into the spar. The Mother Goose sped forward, deeper inside the storm. Dulni fell forward as the boat was shunted upwards by the wave. Kip wrestled with the wheel, trying to guide the ship safely down the watery shockwave.

"We need to get to the eye of the storm," Kip shouted over the shrieking wind.

He turned the wheel starboard, keeping the boat on the crest of the wave.

The wave leveled and the boat landed safely on the open ocean. The skies were clear above, but the storm still raged behind and ahead.

"Well, what now?" Dulni asked.

The lean elf dropped his arms at his side. "I guess we just go with the flow," Kellarin replied. He could see an island, or at least what appeared to be one, but it was a speck in the distance. He could barely make out rows of pillars eerily shaped like caskets peeking from the edge of the blur that lay before them. Elf eyes had a way of seeing past physical limitations.

Dulni felt surprisingly rejuvenated,her magic crackling through her bones, tingling from the tips of her fingers, up the small hairs of her arm and shoulders, up and down the spine and up the top of her head.

"You feel it too," Shezerin commented.

"I'm no arcane caster, but Abreol's been kind enough to share secrets with me. It's about as confusing as gender," he continued. "I know that we're not near Chiang'long, but I feel that we need to check what is on that island," Shezerin suggested to Dulni.

"Kellerin, what do you think?" She asked. He shrugged. "It doesn't really matter to me. How's food?"

"I can make extra if we need it, at least for this part of the journey. I expect that continent proper will have us needing our energy for more combat and divination based need," Shezerin countered.

"Absolutely not! We have a strict timetable!" Kip shouted storming up from beneath decks. He was wearing coveralls, covered in soot and tinged with the smell of burnt oil. Padded sleeves were drenched black with grease.

"Don't touch me" Dulni said. Immediately she was disgusted by her whimper. She braced herself, scowling at the scholar.

"I am not going to have my mission delayed and sabotaged by a teenager's morbid curiosity." Kip's face was beet-red and looking as if it was ready to pop.

"Kip are you alright?" Dulni asked unnerved by the aggression on display.

"Day after day, having to put up with your antics. What was I thinking, hiring you?"Kip threw up his hands. "I don't know who's worse, you or the urchin," he said as he gave Shezerin a quick glance.

"I am a great assistant as I have proven." Shezerin replied.

"You got me her. That cancels out you sorting this ship and fetching me Kellarin." Kip countered.

"She's vouched by the guy you wanted, who has a reputation for being, well... point is, let me finish sir, if you can't handle her, how did you expect it to go with such a man?" Shezerin asked.

"I don't want to be anywhere near the Lid of Abymalm," Kip admitted. "Sailors claim those islands are connected directly to his Labyrinth of Terrors."

"Well, I suspect that we will have to deal with them whether we'd like to or not," Kellarin interrupted. "They probably see us. The longer we sit here, the more time they have to prepare. Defender's advantage." The elf moved up to the prow of the ship. "Kip, when's the quickest we can make landfall, and how much booze are you insisting we sacrifice for the survival of our lives and a gamble on this craft?"

Kip gulped.

End of chapter 2

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #original story #original series #original character

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Syd Mead

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Sandwiched in Time

Scene 2: Echoes of Week Past

Y 227 8th of Thermidore.

Day three of our sea voyage. Nothing of note since we splashed off of the coast of Dragon's Crest. Kellarin keeps us engaged with stories about his travels. He was pleasantly surprised by Kip's surprise shipment of liquor. We still don't know what was in the package in the airship that caught up to us once we were in the air. Why he didn't tell us that he had gotten pin-tracking for it, I'll never know. Dulni made sure to call him out on it though it wasn't pleasant. It seems like our employer enjoys fighting. I hope it extends to physical aggression too. I'd hate to find out that his bark is worse than his bite.

As far as Dulni is concerned, it turns out she's as good a cook as her mother or so Kellarin claims. He and her have been taking turns at the cook pot. Kip has volunteered his nutritional mix as a required ingredient. It's quite sour so the two have been busy being creative with it. They've had me "test" their creations and surprisingly they've been able to make Kip's mix edible. Well in all truth it was always edible, but I couldn't help myself with many of the dishes that I ate so far. We are still a long ways from the tears of Abymalm, but Kip insists we should be halfway to our destination by day 15. He's been using the solar sails to speed up the boat. We've been sailing very fast. I'm still wondering where he keeps all of the food on this worn down excuse for a boat. Dulni has her own-

"Oy there, mind giving me a hand?" asked Kellarin, snapping Sherezin from his writing.

"What do you need?" he called back. His tone came out pointed as he was annoyed at being interrupted.

"I just need you to help tighten some rope. We're sailing into a storm."

"Anyway we can just sail around it?" Shezerin yelled back.

"Are you crazy! Do you want this to take three times as long?!" Dulni shouted as the wind picked up,"We voted to get there quickly! We only have so much food!"

"You voted? Why didn't you ask me?" Shezerin yelled.

"You were busy! Didn't want to interrupt you!" she replied.

"Reef the sail!" Kip yelled from the wheel.

Sherezin shot Dulni a confused look, to which she answered, "Roll the edge of the sail onto one of the spars," she said pointing at the mast.

Sherezin barely heard her over the howl of the wind. He started rolling up the rigging.

"That's enough," Dulni said as she pointed him towards the cabin.

"Stay in there. It's going to get a bit shaky."

She grabbed a coil of rope while Shezerin headed toward the lower deck.

"I'm going to tie everything down. Just stay below-decks until we call for you."

Shezerin nodded, patting himself down and making sure he brought his pen and journal along.

What a long and boring day.

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #dieselpunk #romance #original story #original character #original series

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Sandwiched In Time

Scene 1: Wet dock Tremors

Y227 9th of Thermidore

Morning

Raina stepped down the ladder from the mess area. Juhn was up ahead, helping her down the last few rungs. They chimed as she made her way down to the crew quarters.

"Thank you..." she began. "I didn't want to interrupt, but..."

"I know," Juhn interjected, "It's... understandable considering your condition- The quarters are this way."

He offered an arm to Raina before they continued down the corridor. Raina took, following along.

Juhn continued, "I can only imagine what it's like. I'm sorry you're going through this."

Juhn wasn't entirely truthful. The hull was burning before him. He was wearing his poker face. Raina didn't need to know, she was going through enough to be blaming herself for his mistake. It wasn't as if he didn't know what he might be getting into when he had read the book, just that he had underestimated its potency. And if his dad needed help from uncle Calros for making the same decision then the book was more important than he feared. But Raina didn't need to deal with that now.

"It's not your fault," Raina replied, taking his attention off of his thoughts.

"You didn't do anything."

She was completely unaware. If only she knew, Juhn thought to himself. Knowing her, she's putting a lot of the blame on herself.

"It's not your fault either." He stood blocking the corridor. Raina's eyes met his. Juhn noticed tear drops forming on her lids.

"You can't blame yourself for this either."

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"There was no way for you to know that this could have happened. You are involved in things beyond our control or comprehension. Lialka and I are here to help you, wherever this takes us," Juhn reassured her.

Juhn turned and continued walking until he reached the center of the corridor. He stopped at the sixth door from the ladder.

"Here," he said as he pushed the door up. Chains rattled as the mithril alloyed door slid on its rails.

"This will be your quarters for as long as you're on the Crossheart."

It was a spartan room with a bunk tucked into the corner. Two large chests sat at its end. Juhn pulled a drawer open on one and put her things inside.

"No one here is to blame. Least of all you, Raina."

"It's not your fault." Her tone was strangely firm. "I did this to myself and I need to take responsibility."

"Did the boogey-man tell you that?" Juhn said, his voice almost a purr.

She had told him about the reveries she had had as a child and some of the more recent ones. The one-eyed man she called him.

Raina blushed. "Lialka was right. You'd never let me live it down," she said gritting her teeth.

Before Juhn could quip back, the chimes sounded loudly in a cacophonous symphony, spread though each and every object. Ship supports hummed and thrummed and echoed jarringly in sync. The din of metal and wood swam like the jittering of a fish flopping on the bed of a dried sea. The room darkened into a multi-colored weave. Fear soaked deep within her skin, rooting itself deep within her being, speaking some unknown and archaic tongue of insanity. The dread took on a sensation that was almost equitable to sight - jarring almost like a sensation but with nothing to feel it. Nothing but the rooted and speaking terror itself. It croaked and whispered, each syllable a whimpering howl reverberating through her limbs. In this moment she had no face - no eyes save for the terror, the terror that swam. Before she could fully lose herself to the maddening fractal blinding her to Juhn, another tremor sounded- this one warm like the embrace of a father. He was here. His red eye glowed intensely in that silent space, a white light flickering and flowing like tendrils where she'd imagine his "hair". A trail of golden ichor resembling a smile spread within the space. A shadowy finger drew itself upon its lips. With a wink it was all gone.

"Raina! Wake up!"

Juhn's voice grew from a panicked wail to his usual tone as Raina snapped out of her trance. His face was unusually soaked with sweat.

"D-did you see it?" She asked. Maybe it was getting strong enough to pull others into her trances.

Juhn shook his head and assumed a casual pose as he leaned against a pillar.

"No, I believed you gone for a moment. You were in trance for a good half hour," he half-lied.

Raina took an automatic breath. She hadn't realized that she needed any. Beatrix cocked her head at her, jumping onto Juhn's shoulder before pulling at Juhn's ear.

"Hey! What was that about?!" He shouted.

Beatrix flew onto Raina's shoulder. She moved to the bottom bunk.

"Please tell me you're staying here," She said.

"I'll have to replace the bunks with couches," he said. Most of the crew is human - family on our father's side," he replied.

"We don't need to, do we really?" She asked.

"If you want to reverie properly," Juhn replied.

"Do you have any coffee?" she asked.

She had no intention to see him in her dreams tonight. But the boogeyman was right there.

Don't think coffee can save you from me, his voice echoed within her skull. Besides, I have someone you would be wise to meet.

Raina sighed.

"What is it?" Juhn asked.

"I changed my mind. I should take a nap."

Juhn nodded.

"I'll check our storage and get those couches while you rest."

"Thank you," Raina said as he left the room. Raina took a seat on the bed and heard a crinkle as her weight shifted. She reached underneath her thighs and pulled out a sheet of folded parchment. She unfolded the paper.

It read:

In the thread woven through the fabric of fate within this fractal we all inhabit within the ONE sole being, two stories come together like knots intertwined. The pull of one thread tugs on every other, altering the paths each would weave throughout the shared tapestry. Each wrinkle within the tapestry is its evidence, another chapter of a story I have yet to finish with you. Tell what I've told so far and be open to the unfolding patterns hidden deep inside the frights and terrors of the dark. Unravel the shadow, see the light that they hide. The journey is long and all are in peril, but doubt not my dear shining herald.

Read the book.

Raina was knocked back as the airship's weight shifted. It was rising off of the tarmac, ready to lift off. She balanced herself and went to her chest. Opening its drawer, she pulled out the book. Raina's breath was shallow as she imagined what could lie within its pages this time. She hadn't the will to look upon its pages since the visions started, she'd only read the covers. Raina put her hand upon the cover and opened up the journal...

#dark fantasy #cosmic horror #fantasy #anime art #pathfinder #rpg #steampunk #anime style #romance #dieselpunk #original story #original series #original character #original fantasy #original post